In West Baton Rouge Parish, the much anticipated vote on the 15 mil property tax renewal for the school district passed.
The property tax has been around since 1960 and must be renewed every 10 years.
The property tax renewal was on the ballot in March when less than 2,000 voters went to the poles. The renewal failed by one vote, 974 to 973.
The turnout in Tuesday night’s election was much greater. The tax renewal passed with 5,390 yes votes compared to 4,402 against.
The unofficial voter turnout was 55.3 percent, according to the secretary of state’s office.
In 2021, the tax revenue contributed $8.5 million to the general fund. The revenue from the property tax is approximately 20 percent of the school district’s general fund.
“We’re absolutely thrilled that it happened,” West Baton Rouge Parish Interim Superintendent David Corona said Wednesday morning. “With everything going on in the world, to get any kind of tax passed is a monumental effort. We want to thank the people of West Baton Rouge Parish for supporting the school system.”
In the 17th district state senate race to replace Rick Ward, Caleb Seth Kleinpeter came away with the victory with 55% of the votes. Ward resigned from the state senate in June to pursue work in the public relations sector.
Kleinpeter currently represents District IV on the West Baton Rouge Parish Council.
In the school board District V race, Terecita Pollard-Pattan led the way with 48% of the vote to replace Leon Goudeau who died earlier this year. Pollard-Pattan and Sonceria Brown Evans, who grabbed 33% of the vote, are headed to a runoff on Dec. 10.
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